Nutrient intake and performance during a mountain marathon: an observational study
Abstract
In order to study nutrient intake of amateur runners during a mountain marathon, compliance with recommendations, and association with performance, an intake of 42 participants in a Swiss mountain marathon was assessed by direct observation. Data on demographics, dietary preparation and race experience were obtained by questionnaires. Anthropometrical measures were performed before and after the race. Mean hourly intakes (SD) of fluid, carbohydrate, energy and sodium were 545 (158) ml, 31 (14) g, 141 (63) kcal [or 590 (264) kJ], and 150 (203) mg respectively. A third of the runners drank 600 ml h(-1) or more, 52% consumed less than 30 g h(-1 )carbohydrates, 95% consumed less than 500 mg h(-1) sodium. Mean weight loss was 4 (1.5) kg; 30 runners (71%) lost over 3% body mass. Mean running time was 7 h 3 min (1 h 17 min). Most participants failed to meet nutritional recommendations. None were at risk of overhydration. Body composition and race experience were correlated with performance, but not nutrient intake. Because experienced runners are well trained, fitter, and know better their personal needs during such a race, it is difficult to disentangle these associations. As causal relationship cannot be proven with this cross-sectional design, non-compliance with intake recommendations requires additional experimental research on the impact of nutrient intake on field performance.
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Race completion has been positively correlated with energy and fluid intake.
“Indeed, while race completion has been positively correlated with energy and fluid intake [14, 15]”
From International Society of Sports Nutrition Position Stand: nutritional considerations for single-stage ultra-marathon training and racing (2019) · cites this paper as [14]
Field studies indicate that successful completion of ultra-marathon is generally associated with greater energy and fluid intake, even when accounting for variations in performance time.
“Field studies indicate that successful completion of ultra-marathon is generally associated with greater energy and fluid intake [14, 15], even when accounting for variations in performance time [15].”
From International Society of Sports Nutrition Position Stand: nutritional considerations for single-stage ultra-marathon training and racing (2019) · cites this paper as [14]
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- Authors
- Kruseman, M., Bucher, S., Bovard, M., Kayser, B., & Bovier, P. A.
- Affiliations
- University Hospital of Geneva (CH)
- University of Geneva (CH)
- Corresponding author
- Kruseman, Maaike
- Venue
- European Journal of Applied Physiology
- Published
- 2005-02-16
- Volume
- 94
- Issue
- 1-2
- Pages
- 151-157
- ISSN
- 0020-9376 (ISSN-L)
- 1439-6319
- 1439-6327
- OpenAlex
- W2147593585
- Cited by
- 58
- References
- 25
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2025: 2 · 2024: 3 · 2022: 1 · 2021: 3 · 2020: 4 · 2019: 8 · 2018: 6 · 2017: 3 · 2016: 2 · 2014: 6 · 2013: 6 · 2012: 1
- FWCI
- 0.60
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Licence
- www.springer.com/tdm (tdm)
- Locations
- European Journal of Applied Physiology (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- reroDoc Digital Library (submittedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Thermoregulation and physiological responses
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Orthopedics and Sports Medicine › Sports Performance and Training
- Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Cell Biology › Muscle metabolism and nutrition
- Keywords
- nutrient intake, endurance running, carbohydrate intake, fluid intake, sodium intake, energy intake, dehydration, weight loss, running performance, recreational runners, body composition, fluid overload
- MeSH terms
- Adaptation, Physiological, Adult, Aged, Aging, Altitude, Body Constitution, Eating, Energy Metabolism, Female, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Nutritional Physiological Phenomena, Physical Endurance, Physical Fitness, Psychomotor Performance, Surveys and Questionnaires, Running, Cohort Studies
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